Methods and apparatus for dynamically processing events based on automatic detection of time conflicts

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for dynamically processing events based on automatic detection of time conflicts are disclosed. An example method includes accessing first time and date information from a user schedule, the user schedule including a scheduled item represented by the first time and date information; identifying second time and date information associated with a first event associated with a desired transaction; determining that the first event conflicts with the scheduled item by comparing the second time and date information with the first time and date information; identifying third time and date information associated with an alternate event in association with the desired transaction; determining that the alternate event does not conflict with the scheduled item by comparing the third time and date information with the first time and date information; and facilitating completion of the transaction based on the alternate event and the third time and date information.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/538,474, filed on Nov. 11, 2014, entitled “Method and Apparatus forDynamically Processing Events Based on Automatic Detection of TimeConflicts,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/384,903, filed on Apr. 10, 2009 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,082,111), whichis a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/000,904, filedNov. 15, 2001, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Dynamically AdjustingElectronic Schedules Based on Automatic Detection of Time Conflicts.”U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/538,474, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/384,903, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/000,904 areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods usedfor scheduling. More particularly, the present invention relates to theuse of purchased goods to trigger adjustments to electronic schedules.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Individual electronic schedules have become as common as the existenceof personal computers. Most desktop computers include some type ofpersonal scheduling software package, as do the increasingly popularpalm-top generation of computers. However, the included schedulingpackages are typically quite primitive, merely used to record whateveris placed into them by the hand of the user. More advanced schedulingpackages offer the ability to cross-schedule between networked users,detecting conflicts and locating personnel based on shared information.

Given the current state of scheduling software, consumers attempting toschedule their time in conjunction with the purchase of theatre tickets,for example, must consult personal planners, or palm-top computers toverify the existence of available dates and times. Open schedule periodsare manually compared with potential event dates. Errors, such asmistaking one month for the next, or one date for another, often occur,due to the exigency of the purchase. Finally, consumers may simply failto enter information associated with the purchase which may be needed ata later time. Such forgotten items may include seat reservationinformation, a map of the facility, or a directory of on-site services.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an apparatus, an articleincluding a machine-accessible medium, a system, and a method ofadjusting a schedule based on the purchase of goods or servicesassociated with such a purchase. The ability to automatically adjust ormodify a schedule based on a timed event should be provided to reducethe possibility of human error. Further, revisions of the purchaseshould be allowed to accommodate schedule conflicts, along with theoption of conveying additional related information to the consumer whichmay be useful at the time of the event (e.g., travel information).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus, an article including amachine-accessible medium, and a system according to various embodimentsof the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is flow chart illustrating a method of adjusting a scheduleaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in whichare shown by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the drawings,like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout theseveral views. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficientdetail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention.Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such thatstructural and logical substitutions and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. The following detaileddescription, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims, alongwith the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus, an article including amachine-accessible medium, and a system according to various embodimentsof the present invention. In one embodiment of the invention, thescheduling apparatus 100 may include a memory 105 capable of beingcommunicatively coupled with a schedule receiving module 110. The memorymay be used to store a plurality of schedule items 115, each of whichmay be associated with a name 116, date 117, and an item time 118, whichmay further include an item start time and an item end time. Forexample, item “Y” may be associated with the item name “BREAKFAST”, adate of Jun. 1, 2001, a start time of 0900, and an end time of 1200. Ofcourse, those skilled in the art will realize that the date(s) 117 andtimes 118 during which a particular schedule item occurs may beincorporated into a single item “time” 118 (e.g. a “time” of 0001 may bea coded time which means an item is scheduled to occur on Jan. 1, 2001,from 0800 to 1000), into both start and end times (e.g. a “start time”of 0001 may be a coded time which means the scheduled item starts onJan. 1, 2001 at 0800, and an “end time” may be a coded time which meansthe scheduled item ends on Jan. 1, 2001 at 1000), or kept separatelyfrom timing information, as shown herein. The schedule items 115 storedin the memory 105 may also include other associated elements 119, suchas item location/mapping information, seating availability and parkinginformation, the location and cost of nearby services (e.g., beveragesales, or restaurants), house rules (no flash photography, cell phonesturned off), musician's web site address, advertising and marketing(e.g., Purchase a CD of tonight's performance by calling 123-4567.),etc.

The schedule receiving module 110 is capable of automatically receivingschedule update information 120, perhaps as transmitted by aninformation repository, such as a vendor's server or point of sale (POS)device 125. Of course, the update information 120 may also as entered bya user of the apparatus 100, perhaps with a keypad, microphone, stylus,or other data entry device. The update information 120 is typicallyassociated with a purchase transaction and at least one event 130, andmay include an event name 135 (e.g., event A may be named “CIRCUS”), anevent date 140 (e.g., for event A the date may be “Jun. 1, 2001”), andan event time 145, which may include an event start time (e.g., forevent A the start time may be “1400”) and an event end time (e.g., forevent A the end time may be “1600”). Of course, the event time 145 mayinclude coded date and/or start/end timing information, as noted abovewith respect to schedule items 115. Other informative 150, similar to oridentical to any or all of the associated elements 119 described withrespect to schedule items 115, may be associated with the event andincluded in the update information 120.

The scheduling apparatus 100 may also include a conflict determinationmodule 155 capable of being coupled to the memory 115. The conflictdetermination module 155 is capable of determining the existence of aschedule conflict between an event time (e.g., the start and end times145 of an event 135 transmitted to the apparatus 100 in the scheduleupdate information 120) and scheduled item times (e.g., the date, startand end times of items 115 previously stored in the memory 105).

The apparatus 100 may also include a schedule transmission module 160capable of being coupled to the memory 105. The transmission module iscapable of sending a message 165, including information regarding theexistence of a schedule conflict 167, to the POS 125.

For example, assume that a user of the apparatus 100 attempts topurchase a ticket from a vendor of tickets to a nearby circus. Theapparatus 100 may have schedule item 115 information regarding event “Y”stored in the memory 105 for a “BREAKFAST” on Jun. 1, 2001, starting at0900 and ending at 1200 at a “HOME” location. If the user of theapparatus 100 wishes to attend the event “A”, which is a “CIRCUS”occurring on the same day, from 0800 to 1000, a schedule conflictexists. If the event schedule update information 120 is sent to theapparatus 100, this conflict may be detected by the conflictdetermination module 155, and a message 165 including information aboutthe conflict 167 may be sent from the apparatus 100 to the POS device125.

In return, the conflict information message 165 may be received by thePOS device 125, and another message, containing alternative scheduleupdate information 170 associated with the event 130 (e.g., event “A”)including an alternative event timing, such as an alternative eventstart time (e.g., 1400) and an alternative event end time (e.g., 1600).As noted above, the alternative event time information may include codeddate and time information, or separate date/time start/end information.

In another embodiment of the invention, a scheduling system 175 mayinclude a POS device 125 which has schedule update information 180associated with various events 130 including event names 135, eventdates 140 and/or times 145 (possibly including coded date and/orstart/end times). The system 175 may also include a scheduling apparatus100, which is capable of being communicatively coupled to the POS device125, perhaps by making use of a medium 185, such as an electronicconductor, an optical conductor, an electromagnetic wave, or acombination of these. Any protocol may be used, including thosespecified in the Bluetooth™ (e.g., “Bluetooth System Specification,”Bluetooth Special Interest Group, Ver. 1.1, March 2001) and Infra-redData Association (IrDA) standards (e.g., the “Infrared Data AssociationMinimal IrDA Protocol Implementation,” Counterpoint Systems Foundry,Inc., Ver. 1.0, Nov. 6, 1996). As previously described, the apparatus100 may include a schedule receiving module 110 and a memory 105 (whichmay be used to store a plurality of schedule items 115, schedule updateinformation 120, and/or the alternative schedule update information170).

The POS device 125 may include a memory 190 for storing the eventinformation 180, or the event information 180′ may be stored in aninformation repository, such as a memory 190′ separate and apart fromthe POS device 125. For example, the memory 190′ may be co-located withan event sponsor. The memory 190, 190′ may be dedicated to the device125, or merely capable of being communicatively coupled with it, such asby using a medium 195 (similar to or identical to the medium 185).

The information 180 may be stored in any number of ways, well known tothose skilled in the art, such as by storing the information 180 so thateach event 130 has other data elements 140, 145, and 150 associated withthe event name 135. Other information 150, such as location/mappinginformation (e.g., a map of the event location), pricing information forthe event or local services, and/or seating information, etc. may alsobe associated with the event name 135 and stored in the memory 190,190′.

It should be noted that the memories 105, 190, 190′; the schedulereceiving module 110; the conflict determination module 155; and theschedule transmission module 160 may all be characterized as “modules”herein. Such modules may include hardware circuitry, such as amicroprocessor and/or memory circuits, software program modules, and/orfirmware, and combinations thereof, as desired by the architect of theapparatus 100 and system 175, and appropriate for particularimplementations of the invention.

One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the schedulingapparatus and system of the present invention can be used inapplications other than for apparatus such as handheld computers, andsystems which include networked servers or POS devices, and thus, theinvention is not to be so limited. The illustrations of a schedulingapparatus 100 and a scheduling system 175 are intended to provide ageneral understanding of the structure of the present invention, and arenot intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements andfeatures of scheduling apparatus and systems which might make use of thestructures described herein.

Applications which may include the novel scheduling apparatus and systemof the present invention include electronic circuitry used in high-speedcomputers, communication and signal processing circuitry, modems,processor modules, embedded processors, and application-specificmodules, including multilayer, multi-chip modules. Such schedulingapparatus and system may further be included as sub-components within avariety of electronic systems, such as televisions, cellular telephones,personal computers, radios, vehicles, and others.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of adjusting a scheduleaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The method 222 mayinclude initiating a purchase transaction, such as attempting to buytickets for an event at block 224. The method 222 may continue withselecting an event associated with the purchase transaction at block228. The selected event is typically associated with schedule updateinformation, such as the event name and time, which may further includean event date, an event start time, and an event end time.

The method 222 may then proceed with receiving the schedule updateinformation at block 234, and possibly, other associated information atblock 238. For example, if the event is a basketball game, theassociated information may include seating and parking information.Thus, if there is a relatively small amount of associated information,it may be downloaded to the user along with the event time data as partof the update information. The associated information may also bedownloaded later, after there is more assurance that the purchasetransaction will ultimately be completed.

The method 222 may then continue with determining whether a scheduleconflict exists between the event time (e.g., the event start and endtimes for the selected event) and the item time (e.g., the item startand end times) associated with a schedule item which already exists inthe user schedule at block 244. If no conflict exists, then the purchasetransaction may be completed at block 248, and other informationassociated with the event may be received at block 254 (e.g. theinformation discussed with respect to block 238 and/or more lengthytransmissions, such as images of the event or sound clips of performersat the event, etc.). Of course, non-time related information (e.g. amap, pricing, and/or seating information associated with the event name)may also be received at blocks 238 and 254, according to the desires ofthose implementing the method 222 of the invention. The method 222 mayconclude with adjusting the schedule to include the schedule updateinformation if a schedule conflict is determined not to exist at block258.

If a schedule conflict is detected at block 244, the scheduled party (ora user of the apparatus, such as apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1) may benotified at block 264, using visual messaging, lighting, and/or audiomechanisms, such as displays, LEDs, speakers, or other transducers.Conflicts may be determined due to a direct event time conflict, asdiscussed above, or by analyzing other scheduled items, including theirlocation and nature, to determine whether travel time from a scheduleditem to a selected event result in a conflict.

For example, if a doctor's appointment exists as a scheduled item, andit is known that such appointments are regularly delayed an hour or morebeyond the scheduled start time, such delays may be taken intoconsideration, and an “indirect” conflict may be determined at block244. Thus, if an event is scheduled less than 90 minutes after the endof the scheduled doctor's appointment a conflict may be generated toaccount for appointment fulfillment delays, and travel time to theevent, given the location of the doctor's office and the event, derivedfrom associated elements and information stored in the memoriesdescribed above. Thus, more advanced versions of the invention may beable to consider time and distance information between scheduled events,blocking out travel time and alerting consumers to possible conflictsbased on the proximity (time and distance) of separate events andschedule items. If a conflict exists, a determination can then be madeat block 268 as to whether alternative events may be substituted for theselected event. If so, then alternative event time information, includealternative event start and end times, may be received at block 234. Ifno alternatives exist, as determined at block 268, then the transactionmay be canceled at block 274, and the method 222 may include refrainingfrom adjusting the schedule to include the schedule update information.

At this time the method 222 may conclude, or may continue with selectinganother event associated with a purchase transaction at block 228.

Thus, referring back to FIG. 1, it is now easily understood that anotherembodiment of the invention may include an article 197, such as acomputer, a memory system, a magnetic or optical disk, some otherstorage device, and/or any type of electronic device or system,comprising a machine-accessible medium 105 (e.g., a memory including anelectrical, optical, or electromagnetic conductor) having associateddata 198 (e.g. computer program instructions), which when accessed,results in a machine performing such actions as selecting an eventassociated with a purchase transaction and schedule update information(including an event name, an event start time, and an event end time);receiving the schedule update information; determining whether aschedule conflict exists between the event time and item time(associated with a schedule item); and adjusting the schedule to includethe schedule update information if a schedule conflict does not exist.

The actions may further include refraining from adjusting the scheduleto include the schedule update information if a schedule conflictexists, notifying the user of the schedule conflict, and canceling thepurchase transaction.

The apparatus, system, article, and method of the invention provide anefficient mechanism whereby the user of a personal digital assistant(PDA) or other handheld computer, for example, may automatically updateschedule information to include useful event information in conjunctionwith a purchase transaction, such as buying airline tickets. Use of theinvention provides an opportunity to reduce the possibility of humanerror with regard to schedule conflicts, and accommodates alternativesto avoid such conflicts. The invention also provides the option ofautomatically conveying additional related information to the consumerwhich may be useful at the time of the event (e.g., travel information).Some versions of the invention may also consider time and distanceinformation between scheduled events, blocking out travel time andalerting consumers to conflicts based on the proximity (time anddistance) of separate events.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that anyarrangement which is calculated to achieve the same purpose may besubstituted for the specific embodiment shown. This disclosure isintended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of the presentinvention. It is to be understood that the above description has beenmade in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combinationsof the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specificallydescribed herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art uponreviewing the above description. The scope of the invention includes anyother applications in which the above structures and methods are used.The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tangible computer readable storage devicecomprising computer readable instructions which, when executed, cause aprocessor to at least: access first time and date information from auser schedule, the user schedule including a scheduled item representedby the first time and date information; identify second time and dateinformation associated with a first event associated with a desiredtransaction; determine that the first event conflicts with the scheduleditem by comparing the second time and date information with the firsttime and date information; identify third time and date informationassociated with an alternate event in association with the desiredtransaction; determine that the alternate event does not conflict withthe scheduled item by comparing the third time and date information withthe first time and date information; and facilitate completion of thetransaction based on the alternate event and the third time and dateinformation.
 2. The tangible computer readable storage device as definedin claim 1, wherein the instructions are further to cause the processorto generate a notification by at least one of visual messaging,lighting, or an audio mechanism.
 3. The tangible computer readablestorage device as defined in claim 1, wherein the instructions arefurther to cause the processor to access the second time and dateinformation received from at least one of a vendor server or a point ofsale device and access the third time and date information received fromthe at least one of the vendor server or the point of sale device. 4.The tangible computer readable storage device as defined in claim 1,wherein the instructions are further to cause the processor to attemptto initiate the transaction, the instructions to cause the processor toidentify the second time and date information in response to the attemptto initiate the transaction.
 5. The tangible computer readable storagedevice as defined in claim 1, wherein the instructions are further tocause the processor to convey travel information based on the alternateevent.
 6. The tangible computer readable storage device as defined inclaim 1, wherein the instructions are further to cause the processor toadjust the user schedule to include the third time and date information.7. A scheduling apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory incommunication with the processor, the memory including computer readableinstructions which, when executed, cause the processor to at least:access first time and date information from a user schedule, the userschedule including a scheduled item represented by the first time anddate information; identify second time and date information associatedwith a first event associated with a desired transaction; determine thatthe first event conflicts with the scheduled item by comparing thesecond time and date information with the first time and dateinformation; identify third time and date information associated with analternate event in association with the desired transaction; determinethat the alternate event does not conflict with the scheduled item bycomparing the third time and date information with the first time anddate information; and facilitate completion of the transaction based onthe alternate event and the third time and date information.
 8. Thescheduling apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the instructions arefurther to cause the processor to generating a notification by at leastone of visual messaging, lighting, or an audio mechanism.
 9. Thescheduling apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the instructions arefurther to cause the processor to access the second time and dateinformation received from at least one of a vendor server or a point ofsale device and access the third time and date information received fromthe at least one of the vendor server or the point of sale device. 10.The scheduling apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the instructionsare further to cause the processor to attempt to initiate thetransaction, the instructions to cause the processor to identify thesecond time and date information in response to the attempt to initiatethe transaction.
 11. The scheduling apparatus as defined in claim 7,wherein the instructions are further to cause the processor to conveytravel information based on the alternate event.
 12. The schedulingapparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the instructions are further tocause the processor to adjust the user schedule to include the thirdtime and date information.
 13. The scheduling apparatus as defined inclaim 7, wherein the apparatus is a personal computer or a portabledevice.
 14. A method, comprising: accessing, with at least oneprocessor, first time and date information from a user schedule, theuser schedule including a scheduled item represented by the first timeand date information; identifying, with the at least one processor,second time and date information associated with a first eventassociated with a desired transaction; determining that the first eventconflicts with the scheduled item by comparing, with the at least oneprocessor, the second time and date information with the first time anddate information; identifying, with the at least one processor, thirdtime and date information associated with an alternate event inassociation with the desired transaction; determining, with the at leastone processor, that the alternate event does not conflict with thescheduled item by comparing, with the at least one processor, the thirdtime and date information with the first time and date information; andfacilitating completion of the transaction, with the at least oneprocessor, based on the alternate event and the third time and dateinformation.
 15. The method as defined in claim 14, further includinggenerating a notification by at least one of visual messaging, lighting,or an audio mechanism.
 16. The method as defined in claim 14, furtherincluding receiving the second time and date information received fromat least one of a vendor server or a point of sale device and receivingthe third time and date information from the at least one of the vendorserver or the point of sale device.
 17. The method as defined in claim14, further including attempting to initiate the transaction, theidentifying of the second time and date information being in response tothe attempt to initiate the transaction.
 18. The method as defined inclaim 14, further including conveying travel information based on thealternate event.
 19. The method as defined in claim 14, furtherincluding adjusting the user schedule to include the third time and dateinformation.
 20. The method as defined in claim 14, wherein theprocessor is a part of a personal computer or is part of a portabledevice.